title: Simulation study of complex action potential conduction in atrioventricular node.
abstract: The atrioventricular (AV) node, which is located between the atria and ventricles of the heart, acts as important roles in cardiac excitation conduction between the two chambers. Although there are multiple conduction pathways in the AV node, the structure of the AV node has not been clarified. In this study, we constructed a one-dimensional model of the AV node and simulated excitation conduction between the right atrium and the bundle of His via the AV node. We also investigated several characteristics of the AV node: (1) responses of the AV node to high-rate excitation in the right atrium, (2) the AV nodal reentrant beat induced by premature stimulus, and (3) ventricular rate control during atrial fibrillation with various methods. Our simulation results suggest that multiple conduction pathways act as important roles in controlling the ventricular rate. The one-dimensional model constructed in this study may be useful to analyze complex conduction patterns in the AV node.
authors.forename: Shin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Inada
authors.forename: Takako
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ono
authors.forename: Nitaro
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shibata
authors.forename: Michiaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iwata
authors.forename: Ryo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Haraguchi
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ashihara
authors.forename: Kazuyuki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mitsui
authors.forename: Mark R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Boyett
authors.forename: Halina
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dobrzynski
authors.forename: Kazuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakazawa
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000503:physiopathology; D016275:Atrial Function; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000502:physiology*; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D011817:Rabbits